Frank de Boer resigns as Netherlands coach

Frank de Boer, in the match against Macedonia.DEAN MOUHTAROPOULOS / Reuters

Frank de Boer resigned as coach of the Netherlands.

It is not very clear if it was a personal decision or was forced by the federation after his position was publicly auctioned after the

orange

team

was eliminated from the European Championship in the round of 16 after playing a bad match against the Czech Republic. , winner 2-0.

"In anticipation of the evaluation, I have decided not to continue as coach.

The objective has not been achieved, that is clear ", declared the technician in a statement released by the federation (KNVB), which endorsed De Boer's decision:" It is in line with the contract signed between both parties, which required classification for the quarterfinals;

the agreement will not be renewed ”.

The immediate challenge is to find a substitute with guarantees to face the decisive qualifying match for the 2022 World Cup against Norway to be held on September 1.

"The pressure has increased and that is not healthy for me, nor for the squad on the way to the World Cup," said De Boer.

"I already knew about the pressure I would have to sign."

Names such as Frank Rijkaard, Joachim Löw, Dick Advocaat, Hen ten Cate, Peter Bosz, Erwin van de Looi, Kees van Wonderen, Eric ten Hag or even Louis Van Gaal, who specified that he had not retired after having ranked third to the national team in the World Cup in Brazil in 2014, they have been considered for days as substitutes for De Boer.

The Netherlands' trajectory has been erratic since De Boer, 51, replaced Ronald Koeman in September 2020, who left the federation to coach Barcelona despite having a contract in force until 2022. Koeman qualified for the

oranje

for the current Eurocup and played the final of the Nations League, won by Portugal, after being out of the Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup.

Although De Boer's balance is positive in terms of results, winner of eight of the 15 games played - he tied four and lost three - his bet has lost its meaning in the European Championship.

The team has not stabilized with the 3-5-2 proposal, defended by the lack of wingers, and the criticisms of the orthodox who sigh for the 4-3-3 have been continuous until the defeat with the Czech Republic.

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The three consecutive victories in the group stage, against Ukraine (3-2), Austria (2-0) and North Macedonia (3-0), games held at the Johan Cruyff Arena, lost value after the bad round of 16 , presided over by the expulsion of De Ligt, for touching a ball with his hand against Schick being the last defender, and the change of Malen.

Critics considered that De Boer was wrong in the correction of the game because Malen was being one of the best of a team lacking in stars and differential players despite having Memphis Depay, De Jong, De Ligt or Wijnaldum.

The protagonist of the tournament has been the right back Dumfries.

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